The grieving wife of a 34-year-old who died of Covid has issued a grave warning after he lost his life to the disease.
Andrew Killeen from Stockton lost his battle with coronavirus on August 10 after "fighting" on a ventilator for three weeks, reports Teeside Live.
The dad-of-two had no underlying health conditions and had been trying to book a vaccination appointment when he was struck down with the virus.
The 34-year-old - who is dad to daughters Niamh and Aisling, aged 10 and 5 - had delayed his first jab to "selflessly" give blood.
All of the family tested positive for the deadly bug but Andrew's condition deteriorated from showing flu-like symptoms to requiring hospital care "overnight".
Andrew's wife Laura, who has been his partner since 2006, revealed the pair "thought life would be back to normal in a week or so".
She has now warned of the "devastating consequence" the virus can have - even if you're fit and healthy.
She said: "Our family is changed forever.
"Covid hasn't gone away and it is still having devastating consequences for people who are otherwise fit and healthy."
Andrew had delayed getting his first vaccine because he was due to donate blood, and had to cancel another appointment because he was ill.
Laura, 33, explained: "He really wanted the vaccine, and if he had been a bit more selfish, he might still be alive.
"He always gave to charity and would do anything for anyone. Everyone loved him for that.
"He had a heart of gold, he was very funny, and he had a huge personality."
Originally from Cleveleys, Andrew lived on Teesside since he was 10, and worked for the car insurance company Axa.
He died a month after testing positive for Covid-19, and spent three weeks in ICU at North Tees Hospital in Stockton.
Laura said she "can't sing the praises" of the staff on the unit enough, and that Andrew was treated with "such kindness and dignity" when he was put into an induced coma.
She continued: "Visiting is only allowed if the prognosis isn't looking good, so I was able to be with him when he died.
"The nurse that was with him on that awful day was absolutely amazing, nothing was too much trouble."
Following his death, Laura has launched a fundraiser for the staff at Stockton ICU.
She explained: "Much to my annoyance over the years, Andrew thought cut flowers were a waste of money.
"So we have decided that the money that would have been spent on flowers for the funeral should go to the staff that tried so hard to bring him home to his two daughters.
"All money will be used to directly benefit the staff, whether its to pay for a new sofa for the staff room or to be used as a biscuit and cake fund."
